Last April 2021, I took a solo trip to Florida for some sunshine and relaxation.
Where I live in Upstate New York the weather can be very depressing during the winter months. I included links to the locations I am writing about - just click on the bold fonts to find the exact spots mentioned. There is also a gallery with photos below which shows the locations - just click on image to see what part of Florida it was taken in.
My flight got in during the evening from NY so the first night I stayed at La Quinta which is close to the airport. They offer free shuttle service from the airport to the hotel so you can save a night on your rental car if you get in late (which is what I did). Side note - don’t stay at the North one which will be less expensive, I stayed there in May and it was very unsafe feeling to the point where you feel like you may get murdered in a drug deal gone bad on site.
My first travel stop was in Ocala (night 2), which was a bit of a drive from the Orlando Airport but I had rented a convertible so it made the drive a bit more fun.
Before I checked into my Airbnb, I signed up for the Get up and Go Silver Springs Clear Kayak Tour. It was completely worth the money. The springs and water are so blue and tropical. I got to see Monkeys, Alligators and fish all in the wild from my glass bottom see-through kayak.
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After the Kayak tour I went to checkin at my Airbnb which was an A-frame on a horse farm in Ocala. The huge trees looked amazing on the listing and I imagined myself sitting beneath them
The location was gorgeous but the actual Airbnb was not. The A-frame door didn’t completely shut tight so bugs got in through the night. It was also very musty so I had to wear a mask while I slept (I have asthma and it was so mildew smelling that it triggered it). There is no running water or bathroom in the Aframe also so at night going across a big “lawn” in the dark wasn’t fun either. The next day I read underneath the Grand Daddy Oak Trees just as I imagined and somehow a little lizard crawled up my pant leg and bit me.
It swelled up and itched but eventually went away so beware of these little creatures that are very common in Florida!
Next stop was St. Augustine where I stayed at a gorgeous hotel right by the beach called Castillo Real. I would awake for sunrise and go for a run after watching the sun rise over the ocean. It was walking distance to restaurants and a lot of other fun things right on the strip. One day I also took my rental car to explore Old St. Augustine which was gorgeous! I highly recommend this spot. The scenery is phenomenal. Just be sure to only park in the designated car park areas and not on the street - I was informed by the mailman that you need a permit to do so.
Last stop and my favorite out of all of them was at Flagler Beach at a Bed&Breakfast type place called Island Cottage Inn. It is run by a lovely couple - Wolfgang and Maureen. I highly recommend a stay here. Wolf is a chef and the food he prepared was delightful - and bonus, he knows how to cook fabulous gluten free dishes because Maureen (his wife) is also gluten free! I dined there for breakfast and for dinner. My room was huge for just me and it really felt more like an apartment than a “hotel”. I would walk across the street and watch the sunrise on their private beach, run along the coast on the sidewalk, read at their pool area and just completely chill out here.
Side note - the Washington Oaks Gardens is very close to their hotel and I recommend a trip there. The nature on the property is incredible. Make sure you walk to where the water is and you can sit on a park bench and watch the boats go by.
All in all I felt completely safe traveling as a single female here. I am glad I changed locations the 4 times during my stay and the only regret is staying at the Airbnb.
Traveling solo is so good for the soul though - especially for us MOMS. It makes you ponder, get to know yourself, reflect, you get a chance to do whatever you want, eat where you want, go to bed when you want and make 100% of all the travel decisions without compromise! We all know that doesn’t happen when you travel with kids right? :)
Have a happy day,
Lorraine
